Government regulations, basic operations and compliance tips, and the potential impact of health care reform will be examined at an interdenominational tax and benefits workshoptitled “Best Financial Practices for Your Congregation: Accountability, Transparency, and Integrity” on Saturday, Feb. 4, in Kansas City, Mo. The event, co-sponsored by Church of the Brethren Benefit Trust, is designed for pastors, church treasurers, financial secretaries, stewardship and finance committee members, and others involved with church finances.

Questions that will be discussed include the following —

What can churches expect regarding government regulations for congregations in the future?

Why is it important to work together as faith-based communities in areas of compliance and regulation?

What do we know and what don’t we know about health care reform?

Where does one go for help when trying to stay current?

The day-long seminar will be led by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, a Christian financial educational organization. A group of member denominations affiliated with the Church Benefits Association, including BBT, is sponsoring the event. The CBA is an association of approximately 50 church pension boards, religious orders, and denominational benefit programs for clergy and church professionals.

“Best Financial Practices for Your Congregation: Accountability, Transparency, and Integrity” will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kansas City International Airport Marriott in Kansas City, Mo. Registration information is available at www.ecfa.org/events. Scroll down to the “Best Practices Resource Workshop” and click on “Register now.” The workshop registration fee is $50, and it includes lunch.

DVDs of the workshop offered to the denomination
For Church of the Brethren leaders and members who are not able to attend the event but are interested in the topics covered, BBT will provide a DVD of highlights from the workshop to the first 200 interested individuals or congregations. The remaining DVDs will be available for $19.95 each. To order a copy, contact BBT at communications@cobbt.org or 800-746-1505, ext. 376.

Brethren Benefit Trust is an official not-for-profit agency reportable to Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, the denomination’s highest elected authority. BBT provides retirement benefits, health and welfare benefits, asset management, and financial advocacy to pastors, employees, and members of the denomination. As the financial agency of the Church of the Brethren, BBT seeks to serve as a financial advocate for its members.